Spring Potential Energy & Hooke's Law Worksheet

Spring Potential Energy & Hooke's Law

Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Show your work for calculation problems.

1. What type of energy is stored in a stretched or compressed spring?

2. Hooke's Law states that the force needed to extend or compress a spring is directly proportional to what?

3. The formula for Hooke's Law is F = kx, where F is the force, x is the  , and k is the spring  .

4. Spring potential energy is calculated using the formula PE =  .

5. A spring has a spring constant (k) of 200 N/m. If it is stretched by 0.1 meters, what is the force (F) exerted by the spring?

6. A spring is compressed by 0.05 meters and has a spring constant of 400 N/m. Calculate the spring potential energy (PE) stored in the spring.

7. The spring constant (k) is a measure of how stiff a spring is. A higher 'k' means a stiffer spring.

8. Hooke's Law applies to all springs regardless of how much they are stretched or compressed.

9. Observe the diagram below showing a spring in different states. Answer the questions that follow.

a) Which state (A, B, or C) represents the spring at its equilibrium position?

b) In which state (A, B, or C) does the spring have the most potential energy?

10. Explain in your own words the relationship between force, spring constant, and displacement according to Hooke's Law. Provide an example of how this law is applied in everyday life.